Teen who pleads guilty to murdering Spanish teacher because of bad grades has been sentenced to life in prison

Willard Miller, 17, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 35 years by District Judge Shawn Showers — he made it clear that it would have been a “serious consideration” if Iowa had allowed the option of life without parole. Given the seriousness of the crime, despite Miller’s age.

Both Miller and Jeremy Goodale were just 16 when they were arrested and charged with the murder of teacher Nohema Graber in Fairfield, Iowa. Her body was found beaten to death on November 3, 2021, hidden under a tarp at a local park. The two were charged as adults and pleaded guilty to murder, with Goodale testifying against Miller at the trial. While Miller said he helped plan and orchestrate the deadly attack, he denied ever hitting Graber – while Goodale said they both took part in the beating.

During his court hearing Thursday, Miller addressed the court and apologized to Graber’s family, his own family and the wider community. The sentencing came just a day after the funeral of Nohema’s ex-husband Paul Graber, who died of metastatic cancer His family believed she would have helped him fight if she had been alive.

“I would like to apologize for my actions, first and foremost to the family. I’m genuinely sorry for the hurt I’ve caused you… the devastation,” Miller told the Grabers. “From the bottom of my heart I’m sorry for your loss and I’m sorry to hear from Paul Graber.”

He then apologized for the “aftermath” her death had on the community and her church, before addressing his own family.

“I love you guys so much and I’m really sorry for what I did and how much it affected you. I plan to go back out there soon to make up for lost time,” he said, before also apologizing to Goodale’s family.

“What I did was wrong and I take responsibility for my negligence, for my ignorance… I ask that I be given a chance,” he concluded, addressing the judge. “I don’t want to be in an institution for so long that I forget what matters, where I come from and what I have to do. I look forward to getting through this.”

Graber’s family and friends responded with comments, with Nohema’s brother-in-law Jim Graber expressing doubts about Miller’s remorse.

“Everyone loved her. She may have been a strict Spanish teacher, but she wanted the best for her students. To imagine someone killing someone above a grade is just insane,” he said. “To date, this is the first time I have heard an attempted apology from Mr. Miller. I don’t believe it because he showed no sign of remorse.”

“To me, he’s a cold-blooded, premeditated killer. She had a good life, but she had a lot of life left. Her death definitely hastened Paul’s death,” he continued. “I hope that you will open your soul to the Lord and maybe ask forgiveness from there first because you are on a spiral straight to hell.”

Graber’s son Christian also addressed Miller directly, saying he believes there is “potential for you to become a decent human being,” but adding, “I don’t see it right now.”

The judge then announced his verdict and first explained in detail how he came to his decision. He said he didn’t feel much remorse was shown to the victim or his family, adding that “any person who plans on the basis of an unsatisfactory grade, gets involved and plans a murder is a person who needs extensive rehabilitation.”

He said he felt Miller would pose an ongoing threat to the community, and also addressed the teen’s age, saying, “The definition of malice is the intention or desire to do evil, and evil has no birthday.”

“While I acknowledge your youth and developing brain, I ultimately find that your intentions and actions were sinister and evil,” he concluded. “These acts brutally resulted in the willful loss of life. There is no excuse. There is no systemic, societal problem that explains or justifies your actions.”